BAROQUE TURIN
Guarino Guarini (1624 –1683) was an Italian baroque architect involved in the design of some of Turin’s most famous buildings and churches. He designed many private and public buildings including the Palace for Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy, the Chapel of The Holy Shroud and the Royal Church of San Lorenzo (1666–1680). Other famous works included the beautiful Castle of Racconigi (17th century), commissioned by Emanuele Filiberto, Prince of Carignano, the Accademie delle Scienze and Palazzo Carignano (1679–85), whose flowing, curved brick façade is a masterpiece of baroque architecture. After his death he was succeeded as royal architect by Sicilian Filippo Juvarra (1678 – 1736), who applied his more classical French-style master strokes to the stunning west façade of the Palazzo Madama, the royal hunting lodge at Stupinigi and the Basilica of Superga – among many others.
BIBLIOTECA NAZIONALE UNIVERSITARIA DI TORINO
The Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria di Torino (or National University Library of Turin) is considered one of the most important Italian libraries. Located in front of Palazzo Carignano in Piazza Carlo Alberto, it was originally founded by Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy around 1720, and became National Library in 1873, hosting a collection of 4.200 manuscripts 250.00 literary volumes and 1000 early prints. The original building was burned down in the early 1900’s and further destroyed during the 2nd World War. The Library was then moved and rebuilt to its current glory over Palazzo Carignano’s ex-stables, between 1958 and 1973.
INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR (SALONE INTERNAZIONALE DEL LIBRO)
The International Book Fair of Turin is an annual event that takes place in the Lingotto exhibition centre and is arranged in thematic sections, giving specialist publishers a more sector-based lay-out. Every year there is a special guest country. After Alexandria of Egypt, Madrid, New Delhi, Anversa, and Montreal, Turin will return once again as the World Book Capital.
Created by Guido Accornero and Angelo Pezzana, on the basis of the Paris Salon, the International Book fair of Turin, has surpassed the former by wealth and variety of contents and number of visitors, reaching the peak in European events in its sector.
In 1998 it moved under public management through the Fondazione del Libro, La Musica e La Cultura, with growing success primarily due to the mixed nature of the event: exhibition/market, cultural festival, opportunity for professional networking, including a special section for children and young adults. The fair is supported by foundations such as Compagnia di San Paolo and the Fondazione CRT, public institutions (Regione Piemonte, Provincia di Torino, Città di Torino), partners like the Chamber of Commerce of Torino and private sponsors, publishers and the media.
